No matter how independent EC is, elections impossible without govt cooperation: CEC
“We need the assistance of law enforcement agencies, officers, and the administration. So, the government will play a key role in the elections. It's not possible without that,” says AMM Nasir Uddin.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that despite the constitutional independence of the Election Commission (EC), it is not possible to hold national elections without cooperation from the government.
"No matter how much you call the EC independent, it is not possible to hold elections without the government," he told reporters after inaugurating a training programme at the Election Training Institute this morning (21 June).
"We have to hold elections with the cooperation of the government. We need the assistance of law enforcement agencies, officers, and the administration. So, the government will play a key role in the elections. It's not possible without that," the CEC added.
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In response to questions about the EC's roadmap and its level of communication with the government, he said, "You will know everything when the time comes. We are not doing anything secretly. Why do you say roadmap… we have a work plan, we will not call it a roadmap. We know what activities we need to do, when to start and when to finish them."
Nasir clarified that the work plan is primarily for internal use and may be adjusted as needed.
"It certainly exists. Every office will have a work plan. Such a big election will be held, so the work plan is for our own use — not for everyone to know. It is internal, and it can be revised," he said.
"We will announce the election schedule in due course," he added.
On the issue of coordination with the government, Nasir said there was no fixed format for communication. "It is not that communication is happening constantly or not at all. It can happen in various ways, formally or informally. It is not like we are not near the government or we are on an island."
He also noted the ongoing reform initiatives involving the EC. "There are recommendations from the reform commission, including EC reform, and we are involved in that. We have to move forward by embracing these. Communication will happen when the time is right," he said.
Earlier at the inauguration ceremony, the CEC stressed the importance of bringing officials at all levels under training to ensure efficient election management.
Other election commissioners, the EC secretary, the NID wing director general, and other senior officials were present at the event.
